4-30-2021

 

Mary’s Minute

“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”

                                                                                                ~ C.S. Lewis

Sometimes we say, “The best is yet to come,” as a way to keep our chins up during difficult times.  It is true that it is helpful to remember that when things are rough, things will get better.  Another way to think about it is that even when things are going great, optimistically we know that we can even be better – and the best is yet to come.

I have to laugh at a botched wedding toast that people in my family might remember.  The toast master said to the bride and groom that he wished that their wedding day was the worst day of their life.  He remembered the punch line of a great toast where the bride and groom were told how perfect their wedding day was with a wish that each day that followed would be even more perfect.  With the wrong delivery, the message was … well, botched, but the concept is actually very sweet.  If every day is better than the one before, then even a great day can be our worst. 

The older I get, the easier it is for me to look back and reflect on all the good that has happened in my life, knowing that there are more days behind me than in front of me.  Despite the timeline of mortality, I am determined to believe that my best is truly yet to come!  Regardless of our age or how wonderful our lives are to this point, our best is still yet to come!

                                                                             Have a great week!

                                                                                                Mary

 

4-23-2021

 

Mary’s Minute

“The only thing you sometimes have control over is perspective. You don't have control over your situation. But you have a choice about how you view it.”

                                                               ~ Chris Pine

Last night I got home from work to find I had no electricity in my apartment.  I called Duke and my landlord and was told it could be “anytime” to a couple of hours.  “Anytime” went well beyond a couple of hours, and by around 8:00 PM as candles flickered around me, I sat on my couch covered with multiple blankets feeling sorry for myself.  I was cold, I didn’t have internet, I didn’t have TV, and it was dark! 

Then I had a bit of a revelation, as I thought about perspective.  I had roof over my head, candles to burn, blankets to keep me warm, and even a phone where I could still surf the internet and communicate with people.  Taking it a step further, I had a car and resources to find a warm place.  Better yet, I knew that I had a host of people I could call who would have helped me.  Suddenly, I couldn’t feel sorry for myself.  Instead, I felt grateful, humble, and privileged.   

When just before 10:00 PM when the electricity came back on, I realized how very fortunate I am.  I know just knowing isn’t enough, I need to use what I know to make a difference.  A few hours in the dark were good for me!

                                                                Have a great week!

                                                                                                      Mary

4-16-2021

 

Mary’s Minute

“A simple act of kindness can create endless ripples”

                                                                ― Pushkar Saraf

 

Last week while on vacation in Zion National Park, we rode a shuttle around the park to observe the beautiful rock formations.  The shuttle bus driver treated us so kindly by letting us stay on the shuttle and directing us where to sit for the best view.  She also waved and smiled at every cyclist on the road.

 As we departed, my sweet mom, handed her a tip, and knowing she would never see this kind woman again, wished her a good life as she thanked her for being so kind.

 Kindness matters. I don’t know for a fact, but I have to believe that the bikers felt the kindness of the waves and smile of our shuttle driver, that the driver was touched by my mother’s kind words, and I know for a fact that I am humbled by the kindness of both of them!  Kindness matters, and it is like a ripple that extends to others in endless and beautiful ways.

 Have a great week!

                                                                                                Mary  

 

4-1-2021

 

Mary’s Minute

“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.”

                                                               ~ Hal Borland

Spring is here – well, at least officially spring began on March 21^st, but tonight we are expecting a hard freeze.  We have had some beautiful days, and felt like spring had in fact arrived, only to pull out our winter coats the next day. 

 

For me, spring symbolizes hope and new birth, but just like positive change spring doesn’t arrive with a single moment.  There are ups and downs.  Sometimes we think it has arrived, only to be jolted back to bleakness.

 

We certainly have had ups and downs this year, longing for hope.   Positive changes in life don’t often come in a single moment.  What is important to remember is that spring will arrive.  Hope is ever-present.  Positive things will happen in your life – even with setbacks.

 

It looks like next week may be the week that spring finally is here to stay, so remember the same hope in all you do!

 

                                                                 Have a great week!

                                                                                     Mary

3-26-2021

 

Mary’s Minute

“That's my gift. I let that negativity roll off me like water off a duck's back. If it's not positive, I didn't hear it. If you can overcome that, fights are easy.”

                                                                        ~ George Foreman

 

If you have ever made the statement that American mainstream media is negative, you would be correct.  I read this week about a study that analyzed reporting surrounding COVID-19.  The study examined news outlets across the world and found that about 87% of COVID coverage in national U.S. media last year was negative. The negative slant was not consistent across other news outlets:  in international media it was 51%, 53% in U.S. regional media, and 64% in scientific journals.  (By the way, there was no difference between national media sources that are considered more liberal or more conservative.)

 

Why are national media sources so negative?  Some suggest that reporters are giving Americans what they want – what sells.  Others argue that reporters are programmed to be cynical in order to get to the truth in their stories, which can lead to negativity.  It is interesting that scientific journals, which we would think would be objective, are only 64% negative compared to 87% in mainstream American media. 

 

Although we may not know why national media is so negative, it is a fact that it is.  Therefore, we need to remember that although we cannot control what happens, we can control how we respond to it.  George Forman won fights by not listening to the negativity.  Given the slant towards negativity in mainstream media, I think we all need to do the same thing.  We need to be informed, but the next time you listen/read from a mainstream media source, remember the bad news bias and let it roll off your back!

 

                                                              Have a great week!

                                                                        Mary

3-19-2021

 

Mary’s Minute

 

“Edison's electric light did not come about from the continuous improvement of the candle.”

- Oren Harari

It is true that the electric light was a vast departure from the candle, but both of them were created for the same purpose of providing a light source.  This popular quote reminds us that often powerful innovations require a massive change in thinking, and that even though we may be working on the same goal, we may need to change our thinking in order to come up with a better solution.  For exciting changes, we need to think differently!

When we think about change, one approach is gradual, continuous improvement.  Another route to genuine change is a total shift.  Nothing is wrong with enhancing the candle.  Minor continual, growth is a pathway to success.  I’m all for having the best possible candles we can!  I’m also really grateful that innovators understood the need to move out of the candle mentality to come up with a better approach to supplying light.

What goals do we have in our lives or jobs for which there may be better solutions if we broke away from past responses to the same challenge?  I want to improve every day, but I also love the idea of shifting to a new mindset in order to grow.  May we use the candle and the light bulb as our inspiration to grow!

           

Have a great week!

                                                                                           Mary    

3-12-2021

 

Mary’s Minute

“Laughter is an instant vacation.”

                                                                            ~ Milton Berle

 Last weekend my sister, Sofie visited with me for few days.  It was fun to catch up, but most importantly it was great to laugh!  We really laughed!  After feeling stifled and stressed through a pandemic, a vacation seems like just what the doctor ordered, but laughing with my sister was even better!

 We go on vacations as a way to relax and live in the moment.  While we are laughing, we can’t focus on our to-do list or our worries.  In that moment, we simply are feeling pure joy.  It’s no wonder that laughter is scientifically proven to improve mental and physical health. 

 One cool thing laughing is that it isn’t always something we can plan.  Sure, we can set up experiences that lead to laughter, like watching a comedy, but laughing is usually spontaneous.  I don’t even remember what all we laughed about – my driving did give her some good giggles!

 Admittedly, I do love to travel, but laughing really does provide the same benefits!

 

Have a great week, and I hope you can laugh!

                                                                                    Mary